The guide focuses on elements of successful outreach and education programs, highlighting at least one project for each. Each project spotlight includes a project summary, lessons learned, strategies, and strengths of the project. The guide is structured in way to focus on the different elements that go into planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating an outreach program.

Background

Genetics plays an important role in everyone’s lives, including individuals with genetic conditions and their families and the general public. And yet, there are significant gaps in education around genetic services and support that in turn impact health outcomes. By improving access through outreach and education in this area, programs can have a real, demonstrable impact.

Creating and implementing successful outreach and education programs requires knowing and understanding different audiences and strategizing how best to reach them. Beyond raising awareness about a specific topic, outreach and education programs can motivate individuals to take action or make changes to improve their health. The programs included in this guide demonstrate outcomes in at least one of four areas of need: access to services, access to screening, access to support, and consumer empowerment. Our goal is to take the unique approaches presented by these programs and create a resource that helps existing programs expand their reach and encourages the development of future genetics-related outreach programs.

While this guide focuses on genetics-related programs, it is important to note that much can be learned from successful model programs outside the genetics arena. In fact, many of the most successful avenues for improving access to genetics services come through integration and collaboration with other disciplines.

How to Use This Guide

While not every program is structured the same, we focus on 15 key “strategies” that can greatly impact the success in reaching and engaging a population. The areas are not necessarily mutually exclusive or in order of importance or sequence. To best utilize this guide, ask yourself the following questions about your existing or potential project:

Additional Resources

Impact Awards

In January 2014, Genetic Alliance released a Request for Proposals for Impact Awards to support the expansion of successful genetics-related outreach and education programs. Click here for more information on the Impact Awards. This guide was created in conjunction with this award opportunity and in an effort to highlight evidence-based programs that have implemented unique strategies to reach and educate individuals, families, and communities.